Dryers.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)

On the whole, clothes dryers do a good job. More sophisticated models dry your laundry with greater finesse.

Dryers are relatively simple. Their major differences are how they heat the air (gas or electricity) and how they're programmed to shut off once the load is dry (thermostat or moisture sensor). Gas models typically cost about $50 more than electric ones, but they're usually cheaper to operate.

Consumer Reports has found that dryers with a moisture sensor tend to recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than machines that use a traditional thermostat. Because they don't subject clothing to unnecessary heat, moisture-sensor models are easier on fabrics. And since they shut themselves off when laundry is dry, they use less energy. Sensors are now offered on many dryers, including some relatively low-priced ones. Thermostat-only dryers are generally the most basic models.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The top four brands--GE, Kenmore (Sears),Maytag, and Whirlpool--account for approximately 80 percent of dryer sales. Other brands include Frigidaire (made by Electrolux), Hotpoint (made by GE), and Admiral, Amana, KitchenAid, and Roper (made by Whirlpool). You may also run across smaller brands such as Crosley, Estate, and White-Westinghouse, all of which are made by the larger brands. Asko, Bosch, Miele, and Siemens are European brands. Fisher & Paykel is from New Zealand, LG and Samsung from Korea, and Haier from China.

Full-sized models. These models generally measure between 27 and 29 inches in width--the critical dimension for fitting in cabinetry and closets. Front-mounted controls on some models let you stack the dryer atop a front-loading washer, but shorter people may find it difficult to reach the dryer controls or the inside of the drum. Full-sized models vary in drum capacity from about 5 to 712 cubic feet. Most have ample capacity for typical wash loads. A larger drum can more easily handle bulky items such as queen-size comforters. Buying a more expensive model may get you more capacity and a few extra conveniences. Price: electric, $200 to $1,000; gas, $250 to $1,100.

Space-saving models. Compacts, exclusively electric, are typically 24 inches wide, with a drum capacity roughly half that of full-sized models--about 312 cubic feet. Aside from their smaller capacity, they perform much like full-sized machines. They can be stacked atop a companion washer. Some compact dryers operate on 120 volts, while others require a 240-volt outlet (as do full-sized electric dryers). Price: $200 to about $1,400.